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Backpack

Osprey Atmos 65If comfort is king, then Osprey’s Atmos 65 has a serious claim to the backpacking throne. Start with its contour-following AirSpeed™ mesh suspension, which lifts the pack frame an inch off your back to boost comfort and cooling air currents. Then dial in the fully-adjustable shoulder straps and hip-belt pads help to eliminate pressure points. Finally, ventilated foam panels improve breathability while ultralight aluminum stays keep its empty weight under three and a half pounds. And although this top-loader is built to haul, its streamlined profile lets you cinch it down for a quick overnighter, or fill its eight exterior pockets to supply an extended weekend on the trail.

PLUS: To conquer any trail, you have to eat for success. Enhance your performance with The Paleo Diet.

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Tent

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2A hundred factors contribute to a successful tent—and this roomy, waterproof, two-person shelter nails most of them. It’s freestanding, so you can pitch it on rock, sand, ice, or your living room floor. Two enormous curved doors—with separate vestibules to store gear—make getting in and out easier on your tent partner. Plus, this tent mixes the right amounts of breathable mesh to prevent interior condensation (the Achilles heel of cheaper tents) and durable nylon to resist tears and abrasion. But most impressive are the Copper Spur’s stats: A three-season tent under 3.5 pounds, with 42 inches of headroom and 29 square feet of living space.

Sleeping bag

NEMO Nocture Down 30FMummy bags might work for the undead, but the living demand more space. That’s why NEMO replaced the traditional sleeping bag taper with an innovative hourglass shape to create this award-winning bag. Extra room at the mid-section allows knees to bend and roll throughout the night (a boon for side-sleepers everywhere). Plus, the new design lets you sit cross-legged or change clothing while still in your bag—a lifesaver on frigid mornings. The synthetic down insulation is equal to 700-fill, which gives the Nocturne a temperature rating of 30°F and the ability to be your one-stop bag for spring, summer, and fall excursions. Plus, the entire bag weighs a shade over two pounds and compresses to the size of a rugby ball.

Ground pad

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping PadThe battle between comfort and bulk is over. And you won—if you slip this state-of-the-art air mattress underneath your sleeping bag at night. What makes it so special? First, inflating the NeoAir XL raises your body 2.5 inches off the ground. Second, the packed version weighs less than a can of beer (12 oz.) and stuffs down to the size of a 1-liter water bottle. Third, this pad achieves the best thermal insulation outside of a feather bed. It accomplishes all three feats by sandwiching 100+ air chambers in between heat-reflective layers. And though the latest NeoAir XLite saved two ounces by removing extraneous fabric, its 20-inch width and six foot length will satisfy the most restless sleepers.

Trail shoes

Merrell Chameleon 5 Low Ventilator GTXThese aren’t your dad’s big, leather backpacking boots. In fact, they aren’t even boots. Merrell’s Chameleon series began the revolution in low-cut trail shoes able to tackle tougher terrain, heavier loads, and multi-day trips. This fifth generation Chameleon continues the trend—merging the wraparound comfort of an athletic shoe with trail-ready ankle support, gripper soles, and durable toe protection. These shoes can handle pack loads up to 40-pounds without fear of a twisted ankle. Plus you’ll be able to hike farther and faster because they burden your feet less than regular boots. A GORE-TEX lining keeps rain and puddles out, while the abrasive-resistant suede upper and metal hooks and eyelets make this one tough hiking shoe. Also comes in a mid-height version ($170).

Insulated bottle

REI Vacuum Infuser Mug - 15 fl. oz.This thermos won’t leak. Period. Unlike flip-top lids, which can snag in your bag, the screw-top on this 15-fl. oz. thermos will stay shut, keeping your hot or cold beverage of choice insulated and intact. The double walls on this stainless-steel cylinder will keep drinks steaming hot while riding the chair lifts—or refreshingly cool on a humid July day-hike. Plus, its streamline design makes it a great commuter mug for riding in a cup holder, or slipping into an attaché. Bonus: The rubber base sticks to flat surfaces and absorbs the impact of accidental drops.

Lantern

Black Diamond ApolloCheating at poker just got harder under the glare of the 80 lumens cast by this pint-sized lantern. Whether perched on picnic table, suspended over a cooking stove, or clipped inside a tent canopy, this portable 3-watt lantern provides the community lighting that task-oriented headlamps can’t manage. A dimmable power switch allows you to dial the brightness to the optimal level, while the four AA batteries will keep the lights on for 60 hours. You can even take it backpacking, thanks to foldable legs and a collapsible light chamber that push its weight under eight ounces.

GPS

Garmin 62stcGo ahead and take that trail. With this Garmin GPS pinging a half-dozen orbiting satellites, you can trust you’ll reach your destination—especially if the nearest cell tower is five mountain ranges over the horizon. Watch your location appear on its bright 2.6-inch color screen, and then plot the distance and the elevation gain until your next destination using the electronic compass and altimeter. This device comes pre-loaded with basic topographic maps for the entire country, while more detailed maps for states and parks can be easily purchased in a store or downloaded over the Internet. Waterproof, drop-proof, and highly accurate—the Garmin 62stc is ideal for solo hikers or anyone venturing off the grid.

Solar charger

Goal Zero Guide 10Harness the power of the sun with GoalZero's integrated solar array and battery charger. Two hours of direct sunlight will fully charge a smartphone or GPS, while six hours will top off an iPad or similar tablet (a feat few other portable solar chargers can accomplish). The set-up is simple: Plug your device into the included regular or micro USB ports, point the solar panels at the sun, and wait. The system also includes a battery charger and four rechargeable NiMH AA batteries for conventionally-powered devices. The entire system weighs one pound and slips into a convenient carrying case.

Headlamp

Petzl Tikka XP 2 HeadlampSee in the dark with this compact light that’s packed with powerful features. The 80-lumens white LED throws a maximum beam over 200 feet, while the lower-intensity setting (13 lumens) will shine for 8 days of continuous use. A sliding lens lets you switch the beam between spotlight and floodlight, while activating the red LED light safeguards your night vision for hiking after dark. A special on/off switch keeps it from accidental turning on in your pack, while the entire headlamp weighs 3.1 oz., or the equivalent of 45 M&M candies.

Survival knife

Bear Grylls Ultimate Pro Fixed BladeThis is a knife. Ten inches overall, with a 4.8-inch drop-point blade that extends throughout the length of the handle (ie. “full tang”). The fine-edged blade can cut paper, or slice through a log with equal facility, while the textured rubber grip won’t slip in your hands during a monsoon downpour. Inside the nylon sheath you’ll find a ferrocerium-edged fire-starter and a slide-through carbide sharpener. And because this knife is designed by Bear Grylls, threading a shoelace through two holes in the pommel let you to lash the blade to a stick to spear your next meal.

Trekking poles

Black Diamond Distance Z-PoleIf you thought no one could re-invent the collapsible trekking pole, you obviously don’t work at Black Diamond. The Salt Lake City-based gear-maker ditched the standard sliding tube design (with its failure-prone twist or lever locks) for a Kevlar-reinforced shock-cord inspired by high-end tent poles and avalanche probes. The result is a 50-inch pole that folds down to a 17-inch package (10 inches shorter than standard poles), and weighs less than one pound. Unfurling them is simple, and because there’s no lock mechanism—the Z-pole will never slip and fail.

Multi-tool

Leatherman SurgeBefore multi-tools came along, simple tasks like removing a splinter, cutting rope, or repairing a pack-frame required three separate tools, or they didn’t get done at all. But ever since Portland, OR.-based Leatherman pioneered multi-tools in the 1980s, hikers could carry one device to do it all. Their jack-of-all-trades Surge includes trademark needle-nose pliers, plus a 3-inch knife blade, a bottle opener, a file, scissors, and a wood saw. Whether you use a multi-tool to clean fresh-caught trout or whittle a perfect s’mores stick, this is one tool you won’t leave at home. Just ask Aron Ralston. He caught his arm off with one.

Camping stove

MSR WhisperLite International Backpacking StoveIf you can’t build a better mousetrap, you can at least make it 10% lighter. That’s what MSR did with the latest version of their best-selling camping stove. It runs on liquid fuel—from white gas to kerosene and even unleaded gas—and boils a liter of water in under 4 minutes. And unlike canister stoves (see JetBoil), its burn performance doesn’t suffer when the temperature drops below 40F. Plus, its skillet-ready top expands your menu beyond freeze-dried meals—like sizzling bacon and eggs. This WhisperLite International includes the stove, fuel pump, heat reflector, and windscreen—but not a fuel bottle.

Backpacking stove

Jetboil Sol™ StoveFor fair-weather backpacking—or mixing a hot drink midway through a day-hike—Jetboil’s all-in-one canister stoves will be a welcome—and lightweight—addition to your gear arsenal. The 0.8-liter aluminum cooking chamber acts as a mug, pot, plus a handy carrying case for the burner and a 100-gram fuel canister. Plus, this stove’s push-button ignition, flame regulator, and highly-efficient heat exchanger make cooking quick meals a cinch. Although ideal for “just add boiling water” freeze-dried meals, a Jetboil stove can also make a smart back-up stove for heating drinks or soup while another stove (see MSR WhisperLite International) handles the main course.

Cookset

GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist UltralightStop raiding your kitchen for mis-matched camping gear. Instead, get this two-person mess kit that’s light enough for backpacking trip, but can also set the table for car camping. Through its compact design, the Dualist manages to nestle two insulated mugs, two bowls, and two foons (fork-spoons hybrids) into a single 1.8 liter cooking pot. Cooking surfaces are clad in hard-anodized aluminum, while the plastic lids are BPA-free. There’s even leftover room to pack a backpacking stove and a 220-gram canister of stove fuel. Note: GSI Outdoors sells similar cook kits for solo-hikers and bigger groups.

Waterproof technical jacket

Arc'teryx Beta AR JacketPutting on the Arc’Teryx Beta AR means the weather is one less limitation to your day. After all, Arc’Teryx is the Canadian brand behind waterproof zippers, laminated fabrics, a half-dozen other innovations in outdoor apparel. They infused all their technology into the Beta AR, which blocks wind and rain with its lightweight Gore-Tex Pro Shell fabric, while staying breathable as you move and sweat. Pit zippers let you vent even more, while the helmet-compatible drop hood covers your dome, and folds out of the way when the sky is clear. Plus, the jacket’s twin front pockets are positioned high enough to not interfere with a backpack’s hip-belt, while the internal chest pocket keeps a phone or GPS out of the elements.

Down puffy

Patagonia Down SweaterA down puffy jacket should be an early investment in any serious outdoor wardrobe. And the Down Sweater is still the best one to own, mainly because it still does what it’s always done—keep you warmer when you stop hiking or the temperature starts to drop. Wrapping your torso padded layers of 800-fill goose down should be the first you thing you do when you wake up, establish camp, or stop for a rest break. Plus, its rip-resistant polyester shell can endure the scratchy underbrush during a firewood search, while the water-repellant finish offers protection from a light drizzle or a foggy morning. You’ll bring it everywhere, including day-hikes, because the jacket’s down insulation compresses down to the size of a softball.

Soft shell

Marmot ROM JacketSoftshells are ideal for so many situations—chilly mornings, windy ridgelines, and unexpected snow storms—that you’ll won’t often reach for another jacket. The ROM, which stands for “range of motion,” covers the three softshell essentials—blocking wind and moisture, venting condensation, and insulating bodyheat. Plus, it eliminates the rigidity common to first-generation softshells by adding four-way stretchable shoulder and sleeve panels to enhance aerobic activities like hiking, trail running, climbing—or shoveling your sidewalk. Deep chest pockets won’t interfere with a backpack or harness straps, while the drawcord hem and cinchable hood and wrist cuffs block wind gusts and snow flurries.

Wireless speakers

Eton Rukus SolarThis portable speaker system packs a few unexpected bonuses—like a built-in monocrystal solar panel, a powerful lithium battery, one-touch Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port to charge a smartphone. It can shuffle your playlist—blasting it from full-range speakers—for eight hours on a full charge, which can be achieved using the AC adapter or by laying the device in direct sunlight for six hours. An energy-sipping E-Ink display (found in most e-readers) indicates battery level and other settings, while a built-in carrying handle lets you haul its 3.5 pound weight with ease.